Essentials Lessons from the Fig Tree

Introduction

What was Jesus doing on Monday of Holy Week?

Mark 11:12–14 ESV

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

Mark 11:20–25 ESV

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

3 Essentials Lessons from the Fig Tree

1) Fruit is Essential!

Not the season for figs, yet the tree was cursed because Jesus had a desire that was unfulfilled.

Seasons are based on nature

Is what our lives producing based on the natural or the supernatural?

Fruit for Jesus’ purpose is produces supernaturally by the Holy Spirit and often contrary to our old nature, but in line with a new supernatural nature.

2) Faith is Essential!

Heb. 11:6 “6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Disciples marveled at the fig tree, but Jesus was more concerned with their faith.

Faith is an alignment with God’s purposes. It’s trusting that His ways are greater, even when we don’t understand.

Isaiah 55:8 “8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

Faith is not works based, but it is works producing.

You can’t do religious activities to produce faith, but your faith will lead you to fruitful, God-honoring living.

The object of our faith is the source of our strength.

“Moving Mountains” was a Rabbinic teaching about impossible things.

A life without doubts of God’s Purpose, Plan, Power, and Provision will see impossible things done!

3) Forgiveness is Essential!

Nothing aligns us with the will of God like forgiveness.

Forgiveness is giving up my right to hold hurt against someone.

It’s intentionally letting my heart not be hardened towards another.

It’s choosing to be a conductor of God’s grace…the less we resist, the better a conductor we are.

CLOSING

IF WE WISH TO ALIGN WITH GOD’S PURPOSE WE MUST BE SUPERNATURALLY FRUITFUL, SPIRITUALLY FAITH-FILLED, AND SACRIFICIALLY FORGIVING. WITHOUT LEARNING AND APPLYING THESE LESSONS, WE OPEN OURSELVES UP TO LIVE WITH THE CURSE OF SIN UPON OUR LIVES.